Public Policy Studies

Overview

Public policy programs focus on how decisions are made and the effects these decisions have on people. These programs are sometimes called public administration or public affairs.

Students learn how lawmakers and politicians create and change public policy. They also learn how economics and politics affect public policy.

Public policy programs include topics such as:

Organizational theory
Policy analysis
Political science
Business
Economics
Statistics and research methods

Concentrations

In public policy programs, students may be able to specialize in:

Environmental policy analysis
Land use policy analysis
Education policy analysis
Health policy analysis
International policy analysis

Schools

Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in public policy studies. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

Many schools offer a public policy program as an undergraduate major or minor. Other schools offer concentrations in public policy as part of a political science, business, or economics program. Most four-year colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in these areas. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Many universities offer graduate degrees in public policy studies. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree. Most people with graduate degrees in public policy become professors, administrators, or policy analysts.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

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Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

It is also a good idea to develop your writing skills. Consider taking advanced English courses and other courses that require writing, such as history and political science. Participating in debate or forensics will develop your public speaking skills.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Advanced English Composition courses
Advanced U.S. Government courses
Advanced U.S. History courses
Economics
Forensics and Debate
Political Science
Probability and Statistics
School Governance

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Letters of recommendation
Writing sample

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Administrative Law
American Political Theory
Economics and Policy
Organizational Theory
Policy Analysis
Public Management
Social Research Methods
Statistics

In addition, students take different courses depending on their area of specialization. Some examples of courses are:

American Foreign Policy
Civil Liberties
Comparative Public Policy
Discrimination and Poverty
Education Reform
Energy Policy
Health Economics
Human Rights
International Economic Policy
Labor Relations
Local Governments
Nonprofit Management
Problems in Environmental Policy
Public Finance
Science, Technology, and Public Policy

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate programs that lead to a master's or doctoral degree typically include:

Required courses
Thesis (master's degree)
Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)

Internships that deal with social problems and policy issues are often required. You can work for a community group, nonprofit association, business, or government agency for a term. Schools coordinate their programs locally and often work with organizations in Washington, DC. In a few cases, internships are offered internationally.

Things to Know

A bachelor's degree in public policy may be a good starting point for further study in law, business, economics, political science, sociology, journalism, and medicine.

Often, graduate degrees in public policy can be combined with graduate study in areas such as law, business, economics, medicine, theology, and education.

Most graduates from public policy programs work for government agencies and nonprofit groups. You can be a congressional staff member, budget analyst, or lobbyist. You can also work for corporations, schools, or consulting firms. All these jobs require skills such as critical thinking, research, analysis, and public speaking.